The world is “holding its breath” ahead of a possible new nuclear test by North Korea that will be “new confirmation” that Pyongyang’s nuclear program is “advancing at full speed”, alarmed Thursday the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
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“Everyone is holding their breath, because another nuclear test will be another confirmation of a nuclear program moving in full force in an incredibly worrying direction,” Rafael Grossi told reporters on the sidelines of a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. he added.
“The new test, of course, means that they are fine-tuning the setup and construction of their arsenal. So we’re following this closely. We hope it doesn’t, but unfortunately the indications are pointing the other way.”
Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang may be on the verge of another nuclear test, for the first time since 2017, after a series of ballistic missile launches in recent weeks.
A missile flew over Japan last month and North Korea has separately claimed to have conducted tactical nuclear exercises.
The United States, Japan and South Korea warned on Wednesday that North Korea’s nuclear test would lead to an “unprecedented response of force.”
